High drama on ESPN airwaves this weekend spilling into the Christmas work week. Let’s review.

What happened?:

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During the Ohio State vs Tennessee College Football Playoff game, the duo calling the contest, Chris Fowler, and Kirk Herbstreit, came to the defense of Ohio State Coach, Ryan Day, who despite his progress with the team, is still under scrutiny from media pundits, that his work may not be good enough because his teams can’t beat rival Michigan. They named “First Take” specifically.

Fast forward to Monday morning on First Take. Co Hosts and Analysts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe both shot back at Herbstreit and Fowler for their comments. Sharpe specifically said “I promise you, ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say.Don’t play with me.”

Why this matters?:

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All four pros are on the same team. They all work for ESPN/Disney and they’re taking shots at each other’s product on the same air that needs all of their broadcasts to thrive.

It’s a dreadful look for ‘The Mouse’. While commentators on political television take shots at each other all of the time, they’re usually on opposing networks. These four are interlinked on the same product.

Who’s fault is it?: Fowler and Herbsteit shot first. But Sharpe’s response made First Take look pretty bad too, and brings into question the power network executives have over their talent.

What should they do?: Let it fade. Don’t apologize. Just tell all four of these highly successful broadcasters to stay the course that has made them all highly successful. Don’t put that in jeopardy over some high school cafeteria chatter.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

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